Description: This function generates elements in an area defined by 4 selected lines. A rectangular pattern of N1, N2, N3 by N4 quadrilateral elements will be generated, where N1 is the number of elements along the direction of the first selected line, and N2 is the number of elements along the direction of the second selected line, etc. For a transition mesh, it is possible to enter N3 and N4 parameters for the mesh (each side has a different number of elements e.g., 10, 5, 8, 7).
The nodes in the direction of N2 are generated by linear interpretation between the opposing nodes on the two lines. A row of N2 quadrilateral elements is generated from the starting end of line 1 to the starting end of line 2. This pattern is repeated N1 times along line 1. The node sequence starts at the beginning of line 1 and follows the direction of line 1 with the right hand rule. The created elements are included in the CURRENT PART. The CURRENT PART should be verified before proceeding with this function.
Usage:
1. DSI prompts:
> SELECT LINES
• LINE SEGMENT allows the user to combine a broken line while selecting lines for the 4 LINE MESH function as in the COMBINE LINE function in the LINE section. The user must select this option before selecting the desired lines for 4 LINE MESH.
• The user may check the line(s) prior to executing this function by using SHOW LINE in the LINE section.
2. Once the user selects the desired lines, the prompt will read:
> ENTER NO. OF ELEMENTS: N1, N2, N3, N4
N1 - Any positive integer greater than one for the number of elements along the selected lines.
N2 - Any positive integer for the number of elements between the 2 lines.
N3 -(optional) an integer value for the side opposite N1 where N1 is not greater than 2*N3 and N3 is not greater than 2*N1.
N4 -(optional) an integer value for the side opposite N2 where N2 is not greater than 2*N4 and N4 is not greater than 2*N2.
• i.e.,10,10 or 10,10,11,14 = ACCEPTABLE
3. Once the desired element N1, N2, N3, N4 is entered, DSI prompts:
> ACCEPT MESH (YES/NO/REMESH)
• YES will accept mesh and prompt for more lines.
• NO will not accept mesh and prompt for more lines.
• REMESH will not accept mesh and prompt for new N1, N2, N3, N4.